Weatherby wins a regatta and ends up being offered a scholarship to Boston School. Boston School is where her dad went. A father she never met or knew little about. She ends up teamed on a boat with Jack Hunt. The Hunts have money and secrets. When Weatherby as tagged for Last Heir, a secret society of world leaders and royalty, things change.

This is a great middle school read. This is in the same vein as The Inheritance Games or Truly Devious, but for middle schoolers. I couldn’t put it down.

This book was a book for kids ages 8-12 years old about friendship and right and wrong. I don’t really want to spoil it for anyone but I’m glad that I was able to read it and it was really good. I would definitely recommend to age appropriate kids. Would I read it again? No, because it is for younger kids and it teaches a good lesson but I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher Scholastic Books! I was not paid for this ARC review and this is my honest review.

The Liars Society is destined to be one of the big books of 2024! The first book in a planned series, The Liars Society sets up a world of yacht clubs and family secrets quite nicely. The book begins with action-sailing scenes, and the story evolves into a mystery about an island and some estranged family members. For those who love stories like The Westing Game but aren't quite ready for The Inheritance Games or Agatha Christie (or perhaps they are, but they want a new story!). Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school fiction collections.

This book is so fun! I can't wait to read what comes next. :)

The Liars Society is full of twists and turns that I honestly did not see coming. I think that kids of all ages will enjoy this one -- I know my middle schooler and my young teen will both want to read about Jack and Weatherby's adventures in sailing and friendship.

What an intriguing middle grade story full of so many fun elements- found family/friends, prep school, secret societies, heists, sailing, environmental issues, and of course, the question of who to trust! I can’t wait for this book to find its readers and for more installments in this series. The characters are flawed but endearing as they try to figure out the secrets, lies, and truths that they’re caught up in. I already have a copy of this on a list to order for my library.

I would like tо thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy оf this book. The Liars Society іs a thrilling middle-grade mystery series debut by Alyson Gerber, the author оf critically acclaimed novels such as Focused, Braced, and Taking Up Space. The book follows the adventures оf Weatherby and Jack, two students at the prestigious Boston School, who are invited tо join a secret society that claims tо control the world. But tо dо so, they have tо solve a complex puzzle involving a missing money, a private island, and a web оf lies.

The book's plot іs fast-paced and engaging, with plenty оf twists and surprises along the way. The author does a great job оf creating suspense and intrigue, as well as balancing the mystery with humor and heart. The book also explores themes such as family, identity, loyalty, and trust, and how they are challenged by secrets and deception. The book's messages are relevant and thought-provoking, especially for young readers who may face similar dilemmas іn their own lives.

The book's writing style іs clear and captivating, with a smooth and consistent voice that suits the genre and the target audience. The author uses vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and clever clues tо keep the reader hooked and entertained.

#TheLiarsSociety #NetGalley

Alyson Gerbe set out to write a book for middle grade kids who long to read Wresting Games or Knives Out but aren’t quite mature enough for those books. The Liars society certainly fit the bill.

Jack Hunt is constantly seeking his father’s approval and when Weatherby Walker’s boat passes his to win the regatta, he once more fails in his father’s eyes. When she receives an athletic scholarship to Jack’s school, he has reason to steer clear. But when the coach assigns them to team up on the same sailboat, they must learn to work together. Jack and Weatherby both have their own reasons to hope that they can be selected for an exclusive secret society. Both are searching for answers to secrets. This mystery is plotted with care. The clues were there to read but were subtle enough to keep a mystery lover guessing. One twist at the end surprised me, and I didn’t arrive at the other conclusion much before the main characters. When a children’s book can surprise someone who has been reading mysteries for decades, you know the book is well written.

The point of view changes between the two main characters. Each one is written with a clear voice and the reader can become engrossed in the drama. I really liked these kids. I look forward to spending time with Weatherby, Jack and their friends again and hope that this is the start of a long series.

Thank you, Scholastic Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book absolutely is in the vein of The Westing Game or The Inheritance Games (it also reminded me of a lesser-known MG novel called The Ambrose Deception), but something about this story kept me as a reader from really connecting with the story or characters. I almost felt as if I were being kept at arm’s length, which makes sense because it’s a mystery, but it also felt frustrating because the characters felt somewhat under-developed.

The story centers around a fancy Boston prep school complete with a secret society, and both of the main characters, Weatherby and Jack, are on the sailing team. The story goes back and forth between their two points of view as they struggle for the top spots in the team, and to be accepted both at home and at school by who they truly are. I’ll be honest - I had a hard time imagining many of the scenes that take place in this book, because they are so far removed from my school experiences either as a student or teacher. Then again, I’ve never been to a magical school but was able to imagine that perfectly (long before HP movies came along) due to superior writing.

I did enjoy this mystery, but I just needed a little more connection to the story, and it just wasn’t there for me. I did think the clues were extremely well done, and the book sets itself up perfectly for a series. It’s entertaining and will appeal to a niche group of readers, but I don’t see it being a huge hit at my school library.

Weatherby (an old family name) loves sailing and has always been told she has her deceased father's natural abilities in the sport. After winning a town regatta while edging out the town rich kids, Weatherby is offered a scholarship to the elite Boston School. Weatherby is elated at the opportunity as this is her dad's alma mater and offers a chance to learn more about him. Weatherby becomes involved in an undercover scheme that tears open Hunt family secrets and learns that many of those secrets are connected to her.

Obviously written to be the first book in a series, I'm curious to see where Gerber takes this. It is a good middle grade series, and one that has every likely chance of finding itself on some state reading award lists and developing a following especially if promoted by teachers and librarians. Sometimes I felt there was a lot going on, but with an eye on future books, the stage needed to be set. This will likely end up a series where it needs to be read in order.

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber is a middle grade mystery featuring a group of students at a prestigious private middle school. Weatherby Walker loves sailing and gets a scholarship to the private Boston School because of it. Once there she gets invited to join a secret society at the school. Unfortunately things are not quite what they seem!

I enjoyed reading this, but many of the events felt a little too unrealistic for kids who were supposed to be in middle school. The ending uncovers new information that leaves some things unresolved, so I anticipate at least one more book with these characters!

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

I loved this book so much! We alternate between Weatherby and Jack’s perspectives as they attend a prestigious private school. I would have devoured this book as a kid (just as I did as an adult). It was fun, twisty, and overflowing with secrets; I couldn’t put it down! I loved this mysterious book and can’t wait to follow their future adventures!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Scholastic Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Age and Genre: Middle Grade Mystery (age 9-13ish), Contemporary Fiction
Themes: Friendship, Social Justice, Environmental Awareness

THE LIARS SOCIETY is a smart book.

What has it got in it?
Twists, lies, secrets.
And sailing too.

I love the realistic depiction of sailing—I think if you don't know how to sail, it gives enough of a taste to make it work as interesting while not being overwhelming.

The fancy school and the pressures to fit in really work in this book. It's not over-the-top with bullies but social pressure and kids stuck in their own head about how others perceive them.

All of that is great, but the heart of the book is a mystery.
Who is sending letters?
What secrets do they really know?
What does the secret society know and protect?
And what do you do when you know something you shouldn't?

If a book pounds on a theme too much, I'm not too nuts about it. This book naturally grows the themes of right and wrong, environmental conservation, and friendship out of the mystery. It's subtle enough because the mysteries are so compelling, I just wanted to keep reading more and more.

Kids are going to LOVE this book! I aged up my recommended reading age because it's complex to understand, but a younger child could certainly read it too. It's about 300 pages, but it clips along at a great pace.

I highly recommend this book!

Happy reading!

This book is somewhat similar in plot to the YA book The Inheritance Games, but the characters aren't nearly as interesting and mysterious. I guess my biggest disappointment with this book is Gerber straying from the medically challenged characters and plots we've come to expect from her. I'm not sure my students are going to be on board with this switch. Braced is one of the most popular books in my library. Not only is this book different in that it's a rather far-fetched mystery, but the sport, competitive sailing, is relatively unknown.

The story begins with Weatherby in a two-person sailing regatta in Boston. After winning the race, she realizes, to her dismay, that she should disqualify herself because her sail was larger than regulation allows. Before she can speak up, the headmaster of a prestigious Boston private school offers her a sailing scholarship. Wealthy Jack Hunt, the one she beat in the race, is not happy to see her at his school, getting preferential treatment at sailing practice.

Jack and Weatherby soon make amends, while everything else starts to fall apart. The money for the much anticipated island overnight trip is stolen. The regatta boats are sabotaged. Harper's house is broken into. And five students including Jack and Weatherby receive mysterious letters calling them out for something they are each hiding. Who's behind it? What's the connection to Jack's brother and Uncle? What's the Hunt family hiding?

A far-fetched plot, nothing like Gerber's other books. The characters are too nice. I would have liked a little more contention. Instead of the conflict being between the characters, it's between the kids and a corporation. I will be passing on this book for now.

When Weatherby enters an elite Boston school on a sailing scholarship, she finds herself in a different world where secrets, trust, truth, and tradition are everything. This is a fabulous middle grade title sure to appeal to readers who love twists and turns mixed with a strong dose of conspiracy theory. The book ends with a reveal and a cliffhanger, so this is no doubt the start of a series. An author’s note suggests handing this to middle graders as a primer for The Westing Game or The Inheritance Games, and she is right on the mark! Will be recommending this one!

I had the honor of reading an ARC of this story via NetGalley. Weatherby is a teen girl who gets the chance of a lifetime to attend the same prestigious school as her mysterious deceased father. Jack is a teen boy who is struggling with feelings of inadequacies and not belonging in his high profile family. The duo become unlikely allies as they both are tapped to join The Last Heir, a secret society for the elite, and seek to uncover the truth surrounding some weird happenings in their upper-crust society while desperate to keep their own skeletons hidden.

The Liars Society is a great adventure filled story for middle level readers who want to read the books of Lockhart or McManus, but might not be quite ready for some of those older themes. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for more of Weatherby and Jack’s story.

A suspenseful, plot-twist-filled novel with an full and fun cast of characters. 10-11 year old readers will love this well-paced mystery with a classic feel and modern, environmentally-conscience twist.

What a great way to end my reading year! The Liars Society is a fun, fast paced read full of secrets and mysteries. One of the most difficult parts of a mystery is giving the reader enough information and clues to back up the mystery solution without making everything too obvious or coming out of nowhere. Alyson Gerber does an excellent job of supporting the reader and I can see my middle schoolers solving the mystery with the main characters as they read. There was so much to love in this book outside the mystery as well. Plot points around what makes a family and who can you trust as well as fun side plots of sailing (which I knew nothing about and loved) and an inside look at a private school with secret societies that almost makes me want to be a middle schooler again! I can’t wait to share this book with my students! 4.5 stars!

This review is based off an advanced reader copy provided by NetGalley.

*3.5 stars rounded up*
The Liars Society is about a young girl who gets a sailing scholarship to a private school. While there, she has to team up with her new friends to solve a mystery. This story involves a secret society, an island, and super rich people.

This book was just ok for me. I did like the adventure aspect and I think a lot of kids will like it. It reminded me a bit of stories like the goonies. I liked the different characters and relationships throughout. They seemed realistic for that age group. I liked the parent relationships as well, they examined some tough issues that kids face.

I feel like it’s hard to do dark academia with middle grade. This book seemed to want to go there but it can’t get dark enough because it’s middle grade. I also feel like the big reveal was a bit lack luster. The adventure and mystery leading up to it was interesting so I was expecting more.

I do feel like kids will enjoy this book but it fell just a bit flat for me. Thanks so much to netgalley and scholastic for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! I work in the children’s department of a library so I will be recommending this one to the kids!

4.75 stars

I love dark academia mysteries. Honestly, I can’t enough of them and Alyson Gerber hit every damn mark with this one.

Fish out of water & legacy student trying to live up to the family name dynamic? Check. Family secrets? Check. New England prep school setting? Academic rivals? Secret societies? Check, check, and check.

Honestly, the only reason I’m mad I read the arc is because now I have to wait EXTRA long for the sequel.

Perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Knives Out.

I absolutely loved this book. It is great middle grade representation with a complex storyline that kids deserve! The idea of Knives Out for the whole family, or Middle Grade Inheritance Games is spot on, and I cannot wait to purchase this for my school. I also can’t wait for book 2!!